Detail of Lantern Gourds
Perhaps this should be titled “Attempted Detail of Lantern Gourds”. I’d like to think my skill with the brush is improving, but I am not sure I can lie to myself . I am sure Thomas would tell me it takes time, but I was never patient enough for the arts. But here on Somnius? I have nothing but time.
At any rate, here I have rendered, albeit imperfectly, a close up of the lantern gourds at the base of one of the great trees we dubbed the Trees of Life. The water hides it, but the gourds actually grow out of the tree’s base. Parasite? Part of the tree itself? I am not yet sure.
The interior of the gourd is coated with a bioluminescent pollen or spore, which gives the gourd its characteristic “spotlight glow”. At odd intervals, the pollen/spore is released, sending a cloud of glimmering particles into the air. I have observed swarms of the native flicker flies changing course to intersect these clouds. Cross-pollination, akin to Earth’s bees? Must investigate further.
If only I could have convinced another of the crew to side with me, I might have help here. I miss them all, in truth, but I know I did the right thing.